Burial case



R. s. Puml rlss 2,214,889

BURIAL cAs-s4 Sept. 17, 1940.

Filed sept. 19, 195s A l y iz/ l5 L3 INVENTOIL ATTORNEYS! Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BURIAL CASE Application September 19, 1938, Serial No. 230,533

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in burial cases and caskets. These are so constructed that they may be handled conveniently and conveyed for funeral and interment ceremonies.

In view of the fact that the cases must be light enough to be conveyed during the funeral ceremonies, the construction of them necessarily must be as light as possible, commensurate with 1 the loads they must sustain. However,being boxlike in form, these cases give drumlike sounds and hollow rumblings when they are being moved. Obviously, such sounds are very unpleasant particularly during the solemnities of the interment.

The primary objective of this invention has been to provide a burial case which is strong and light, but, at the same time, so formed and rigidified that the usual drum sounds are not given off when the case is being wheeled or carried.

Briefly, the present invention is predicated upon the discovery that wooden panels which carry metal veneering at their interior and exterior faces provide a casket construction which is as light or lighter than those heretofore available, yet ypeculiarly free from the rumbling vibrations that have characterized the caskets and cases of the past.

In the present construction, one of the primary features resides in the employment of panels, and particularly, a bottom panel that is of ply construction with a wood or fibrous core intermediate sheets of metal on its exterior and interior faces. These sheets are bonded to the core material by a plastic cement, in the same manner in which the conventional plywood is made. It has been determined that the fibrous core effectively acts to dampen and absorb the vibrations to which the case is subjected during handimg,

and, as a result, no sounds are produced or reproduced therefrom. In this respect, therefore the invention resides in the casket which is free of the usual rumbling drum sound effects, by virture of the employment of panels for it made of metal sheeting laminated to and integrated with a fibrous inner core. 'I'his improvement is particularly advantageous in the formation of the 50 bottom of the case; it has been determined that most of the sounds originate at this panel. The invention contemplates a case in which the bottom is of the improved construction in which the sides and ends and cover are of conventional arrangement.

However, the invention is characterized by several additional features. Since most of the rumbling effects are due to vibration of the bottom of the case, the seaming construction at the bottom junctures is accomplished by extending 5 the cladding beyond the edge of the bottom core and extending the metal cladding of the side panels beyond the walls thereof and then joining all of the cladding together within the bottom area of the casket at an upstanding, or a double seam. The cladding of the side Walls is extended inwardly at the bottom to include a marginal corrugation that permits the bottom to yield without vibrating.

The invention further is predicated upon the concept of disposing this bottom that is sprung from the sides and end in the manner just described, so that it extends below the lower terminal edges of the side and end Wall panels of the case.

The springing of the bottom through the employment of the marginal corrugation or weakening of the metal plies which support it (by omission of the core material) serves a double function. When the burial case is transported on a casket carrier, the Weight of it is carried on the bottom portion which extends slightly below the lower edges of the sides and ends and this bottom, therefore, is so sprung against the sides that the rumbling of all the panels is prevented. On the other hand, when the burial case is transported by pall bearers then the marginal corrugation, being weaker and more yieldable than the case bottom which it supports, permits the bottom to move upwardly and downwardly in a plane but not to vibrate as a drum head. In either instance the employment of a rigid bottom of a metal clad ply construction, extended below the terminal edges of the sides and ends and supported therefrom by the relatively flexible margining which is free to flex when a load is imposed upon it, provides a construction in which rumbling effects are avoided.

In this respect, therefore, the invention may be said to reside in the employment of a bottom which is comprised of a stiff panel carried in a, plane, with its exterior surface extending below the lower edges of the sides and ends, by means of a yieldable frame which so engages the sides and ends, that the flexing and movement of the bottom frame, when the'case is transported, effects a binding of all the panels into a rigid vibrationless case structure.

In the preferred construction, it is preferable to employ the metal cladding of the bottom part and the sides and ends for constituting the seams to which these are joined, and it is also preferable to extend the metal cladding of the sides and ends beyond the cores thereof. In the present invention, these extensions are brought together into meeting, ply relation, then, these are turned inwardly to form meeting flanges, and these flanges are folded in a double or upstanding seam Within the case.

The preferred details of the construction and further objectives of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an end view of the casket partiallyv broken away to illustrate the structure thereof in cross section.

Figure 2 is a detailed View showing the bottom seeming.

Referring to the drawing, the burial case consists of a box or receptacle indicated at I, a cover or top 2, and a bottom indicated at 3. The various sections of the casket are made up of core panels 4, preferably of plywood or single ply core-wood or other fibrous materials such as Masonite,r Celotex, hardboard, or asbestos board, or composition material sheathed in metal. The side and end walls 5 and 6 of the receptacle form a composite structure, joined at the corners in the conventional manner, such as by mitering or percussion welding or soldering, to form a rugged structure, the walls being sheathed or clad with metal facing 'I on both the inner and outer surfaces. The exterior facing is of a non-corrosive metal, such as lead, copper or zinc, or suitable non-corrosive metal alloy, while the interior facing, if desired, may be of a cheaper material, such as sheet iron, galvanized iron or the like.

The bottom panel of the case is indicated generally at 8. This panel is dimensioned to provide a marginal clearance indicated at 9 between its core edges and the interior faces of the walls. At this marginal clearance, the yieldable framing, which is indicated generally at I0, is contained.

The framing 9 preferably is formed of extensions of the metal cladding of the 'sides and ends beyond the cores thereof Thus, the exterior cladding of the wall is bent inwardly to sheath the core edge; the interior cladding also is bent at the edge to join the exterior cladding metal in meeting ply relation, and sealing cement is interposed between them. These plies are now formed into the bottom springing corrugation I I. This frame formation for supporting the bottom terminates in a plane below the lower edges of the sides and ends, and inwardly of it the side plies are extended in a horizontal plane as at I2, and then upwardly to form a joint flange I3.

'Ihe interior and exterior cladding sheets of the bottom panel likewise are extended beyond the edges of the core. At the edges, the exterior sheets are lapped over the edges to sheath them and the interior sheets are bent at the edge to join the exterior sheets in ply formation. The terminal lportions I4 of these bottom panel plies are overlapped upon the side ply flanges which abut the bottom panel edges. Upstanding seams therefore are constituted by the plies of the walls and bottom, and the case is thus provided with a posed between all of the plies and flanges when they are brought together, as indicated at I5 in Figure 2. In the assembly, the exterior face of the bottom panel lies below the lower edges of the walls, so that the walls clear the supporting surface upon which the casket may be disposed. The marginal corrugation I0 is a flexible structure, the terminals I6 and I'I being movable relative to one another. As the bottom panel is moved upwardly relative to the walls when the case is rested upon a carrier, the corresponding movements at the inner corrugation edges I1 cause the outer edges I6 of the corrugations to bring the side and end panels and the bottom panel to taut positions.

While the marginal corrugation, which has been illustrated anddescribed, is preferred in the construction of the bottom panel framing, other configurations suitable to permit the frame to ex, and bind the parts and still be moistureproof and durable may be employed in its stead. The use of bottom and side panelling sheathed at both faces, which heretofore has not been used because of the complexities involved at the bottom points. However, by the present invention, the use of such panels and the employment of the double ply seams which they enable provide a water-tight, durable and better all around structure. Moreover, each panel is clad in metal, even at its edges, so that the core substance is completely protected.

The lid or cover of the burial casket is formed in two sections; a marginal frame section I8 and an arched or domed cover section I9 joined thereto. Each of these sections comprises suitably formed panels made up of core sections, covered with the cladding as heretofore described. In each instance, the interior and exterior layers of cladding are extended beyond the edge of the core sections to form angular, double ply seams. 'I'he dome or arched top also provides the requisite strength to withstand the crushing weight of the earth, if the case is used as a vault. 'I'he structure of the lid or cover, as Well as that of the receptacle, is designed to provide the greatest amount of strength with the minimum of weight,

so that the casket may be buried without an outside vault. In other words, the burial case is constructed to act as a vault in itself, and, at the same time, is light enough to facilitate transportation. In addition to this, the structure of the cover adds to the artisticl appearance of the casket.

The metal cladding is united to the core surfaces adhesively, by the use of cement or thermoplastic, as indicated at I5. The adhesive bonding not only secures the parts together firmly, but acts also as a seal to prevent seepage ofv moisture between the joints of the casket. In addition to this, the use of such a bond is superior to other fastening means, such as nails or screws,

since the plastic integrates the metal to the core.'

By Virtue of its brous nature, the core material acts to dampen vibrations to which the walls and bottom otherwise would be susceptible. The cores therefore insulate the case against sound reproduction.

It will be` observed that the bottom of the casket extends below the lower edges of the side and end walls as at 20. Therefore, the entire weight of the casket is sustained upon the bottom member, the casket proper being sustained upon the resilient corrugation. Therefore, the lower edges of the casket are entirely clear of the surface upon which the casket is supported. In this manner, the vibrations incident to transporting the casket, are not transmitted beyond the bottom member of the casket. casket is slidin or out of the hearse, or when it is being wheeled into the church or chapel, vibrations are absorbed by the resilient bottom and do not reach the casket proper, whereby the drumming or rumbling effects are completely eliminated. The double seam, formed by the lapped joint around the inner margin of the bottom member, is sealed and bonded by plastic adhesive or compound cement in the same fashion as is practiced in joining the cladding layers to the core panels. 'I'he seams also may be welded or soldered. The double seams effectively prevent seepage of Water into the interior of the casket about the lower edges thereof The projection of the bottom member below the lower edges of the walls and the upwardly disposed corrugation provides convenient gripping edges for handling the casket. The lower edges of the walls are sufliciently clear of the surface upon which the casket is resting to permit the hands to be slipped under the lower edges of the side walls to obtain a good purchase. 'I'he casket is, of course, provided with the usual handles for normal use.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A burial case comprising a receptacle of side and end wall panels and a bottom panel, each being a laminated structure composed of a core layer and sheet metal members cladding the panel on opposite'sides, the sheet metal cladding of each panel being cemented tothe core member thereof and extending beyond the core and joining one another in meeting ply relation, the plies, as units being bent at complementary angles to provide upstanding flanges for joining with respective upstanding flanges of adjoining walls of the case, with the ply extensions constituting an upstanding flange of one panel being overlapped upon the ange constituted by the plies of an adjoining panel.

2. A burial case comprised of side and end wall core panels and a bottom panel, each clad upon its exterior and interior surfaces with sheet metal in cemented association therewith, the interior and exterior cladding of the side, end and bottom panels beingextended beyond the terminal edges of the respective panel cores and joined in ply relation, and complementary flanges formed upon the ply extensions of adjoining panels with the plies constituting a flange of one ply extension being overlapped upon the flange of the adjoining panel for sealing the bottom to the walls and ends.

3. A burial case comprised of side and end walls anda bottom composed of core panels, sheet metal members cemented to the core panels at their interior and exterior faces, with the metal cladding of the respective panels being extended beyond adjoining edges of the respective cores therefor at the bottom ofthe case, and bent respectively to sheath the edges of the cores Thus, when thev and meet in extended ply relation, and complementary iianges formed of the ply extensions for connection of the panels 4of the walls to the bottom.

4. A burial case comprised of Jside and end walls, and a bottom composed of Acore panels, sheet metal members cemented to said core panels upon their interior and exterior faces, with the bottom panel core marginally clearing the inner faces of the side and end walls, and the metal cladding sheets of the walls and ends being extended beyond adjoiningedges of the respective cores at the bottom of the case, and bent to sheath the edges of the cores and meet in ply relation, and complementary flanges formed in the ply extensions for yieldable, bridging connection of adjoining panels at the bottom across the marginal clearance between the edge of the bottom core and the interior faces of the wallsV and sides, with the plies of the ilanges of the walls and ends forming a double seam with the respective complementary ilanges of the bottom. 5. A burial case comprised of side and end. walls, and a bottom composed of core panels. sheet metal members cemented to said core panels upon their interior and exterior faces, with the bottom panel core marginally clearing the inner faces of the side and end walls, and the metal cladding sheets of the walls and ends being extended beyond adjoining edges of the respective cores at the bottom of the case, and bent to sheath the edges of the cores and meet in ply relation, and' complementary flanges formedhby the ply extensions for yieldable, bridging connection of adjoining panels at the bottom across the marginal clearance between the edge of the bottom core and the interior faces of the walls and sides, with the plies of the flanges/of the walls and ends forming a double seam with the respective complementary anges of the bottom, and with sealing cement being interposed between the respective plies and flanges and between the sheets of cladding and the cores therefor.

6.'A burial case comprised of side and end walls and a bottom composed of cores of wood,

sheet metal members cemented to said wooden cores, the bottom panel marginally clearing the interior faces of the sides and end of the case, themetal cladding of the sides and ends being extended beyond the respective lower edges of the cores thereof and bent to meet in ply relation, with the said respective ply extensions of the 'sides bridging the marginal clearance between panels.

ROBERT B. PURmSS. 

